Surge arresters Surge Arrester is used to reduce overvoltage caused by lightning and switching to a level that the equipment

can withstand.

Figure (3.) Surge arrester Function: Arrester works under influence of surge voltage or over-voltage within short period around 1/100s in order to connect live conductor to the earth and safely discharge surge over-voltage to ground. Protect equipment from over-voltage, such as transformer protection Protective level of arrester can be categorized by Spark-over Voltage (SiC) Residual Voltage Development of Surge Arrester Technology 1. Simple spark gap without any resister: unable to control follow current

2. Spark Gap Arrester with resister ( 1950s ): Non-linear resistance characteristics is not good enough. High current flow (100-200A) while working Thermal stability of SiC Valve Blocks ( I2R ) 3. MO Gapless Arrester ( 1970s ) Use ZnO 90% High Thermal Absorption Capacity

Figure (4.): Surge arrester construction 1. Spark-gaps with grading resistors 2. Nom-linear discharge resistors 3. Compression spring 4. Porcelain housing 5. Fittings 6. Pressure relief membrane 7. Deflecting nozzle

8. Arc-electrode 9. Blow-out indicator 10. Rating Plate Operation Spark-over Voltage value of voltage which causes spark-over at Spark Gap connected in series. When spark-over occurs at spark gap, there are voltage drop across arrester terminal and earth, which called Residual Voltage. When spark-over occurs, arrester will discharge over-current caused by surge to ground. Dimensioning and Rating Rated Voltage / MCOV (Max Continuous Operating Voltage) at rate frequency (48-62Hz) when continuously applied at arrester terminal and arrester can completely cease follow current. For arrester connected between phase and ground, Rated Voltage is : Arrester rated voltage or MCOV : Maximum voltage ( Phase to Phase ) at equipment location : Earth fault factor 1.1 or 1.4 for effectively earthed system and 1.73 for impedance earthing. Nominal Discharge Current related to surge current waveform 8/20 s in order to test operating duty. For system voltage less than 52 kV use 5 kA, for normal case use 10 kA, for special case such as in important substation, area with frequent lightning For system voltage higher than 52 kV use 10 kA, 20kA Arrester Classes

 Station Class: for heavy duty applications, wide range of rating, highest durability used in large substations. Intermediate Class: for moderate duty and voltage 169kV used in smaller substations, sub-transmission line and cable. Distribution Class: for lower voltage transformer, small distribution substations and lines Normal Duty Heavy Duty - severe lightning area for distribution system Riser pole for overhead line - cable junction, underground cable, pad-mounted transformer and rotating machine.